The fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship takes place at the Nürburgring circuit on 24th July. The six hour race follows the double-points Le Mans 24 Hours where Dunlop saw considerable success in the LMP2 class and gained valuable experience with partner teams in LMP1 and LMGTE.
Dunlop equipped the top seven LMP2 teams across the line at Le Mans, with rookie Roberto Mehri setting a new lap record in the Manor Oreca. Seven different teams led the class but Signatech Alpine were the victors after leading 231 of the 357 laps. The team finished an impressive fifth overall and the 50 points boosted the team into the championship lead.
Aston Martin Racing’s Le Mans points took Aston Martin into the lead in the GT manufacturers’ Endurance Cup and Dunlop will be supporting the teams to repeat the win and podium success of Silverstone and Spa in the Aston Martin Vantages. The number 12 Rebellion Racing leap-frogged the sister number 13 car in the LMP1 privateers standings with its Le Mans finish as highest in class. After two appearances on the overall podium this season, the Nürburgring race provides the next opportunity to stand alongside the factory teams.
Dunlop has allocated the soft and medium options for the LMP2 teams, as used at Spa and then successfully races at Le Mans for five stints. The Aston Martin Racing LMGTE Am car will have the season-standard medium and medium-plus compounds, while its sister LMGTE Pro cars and the LMP1 privateers (Rebellion and ByKolles) continue to use Dunlop confidential tyres that are unlimited in terms of specification.
Mike McGregor, Dunlop Manager Testing & Track Support
“Le Mans was a great endorsement for our 2016 tyre range with all teams at least quadruple stinting and some using five stint strategies very successfully. We will be looking for maximum attack to build on the success we’ve had so far this season, especially because of our Nürburgring heritage; we spend a great deal of time testing and racing at the Nürburgring with the VLN and Nürburgring 24 hour races and our Hanau factory is nearby making this a sort of home race for us.”
The 6 Hours of Nurburgring round of the FIA World Endurance Championship starts at 13.00 CEST on Sunday 24th July.
Entry list including Dunlop teams can be found here.
Dunlop WEC 2016 Tyres
LMP1 – Confidential tyre range – full range for all conditions
• Dunlop’s return to LMP1 competition for the first time since 2012
• Two Rebellion Racing cars and one Bykolles Racing Team CLM
• Tyres permitted per 6 hour event: 10 sets plus two single tyres
Dunlop has developed new tyres for these teams and is allowed to continue development throughout the year. While the number of tyres for each event are restricted there can be changes to specifications for following events.
LMP2 – Set specification (soft, medium, medium-plus, intermediate, wet)
• Open tyre competition
• Two out of three dry specifications nominated per event
• Soft and medium dry weather options nominated
• Tyres permitted per 6 hour event: 7 sets plus two single tyres
The LMP2 range is completely new, developing from the strong 2015 performance but providing a wider operating window and greater consistency.
LMGTE Pro – Confidential tyre range – full range for all conditions
• Bespoke product for Aston Martin Racing
• Tyres permitted per 6 hour event: 10 sets plus two single tyres
The LMGTE Pro range will continue to be developed throughout the season.
LMGTE Am – Set specification (soft, medium, medium-plus, intermediate, wet)
• Specification for full season will be current LMGTE Pro specification
• Tyres permitted per 6 hour event: 10 sets plus two single tyres